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Purchasing Programs (AAA, Costco, BJ's, etc.)

51 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2010 at 8:07 AM

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Messages Page 5 of 6

#32 of 51 Re: Those programs are great for most folks [bretfraz] by british_rover

May 16, 2006 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: bretfraz (May 16, 2006 6:43 pm)
The worst thing I have had happen is when someone spends hours negotiating a deal and then pulls out the oh and I have X,Y,Z, A or S plan pricing so I want that discount to.
 
They throw it out there like it is a dart and they are sticking you to the wall with it. They could have saved themselves a lot of time just by saying they have that plan and want to use it. Most of the time they have already negotiated their way below X plan but no one gets down into the A plan range.
 
I had one guy do this to me and the entire negotiation process was just painful. At the end of it when we finally settled on a price he goes, "Oh yeah and I have X-Plan through work so I want that discount too."
 
I wanted to choke him.
 
Instead I just said ok well your new X plan price will be XXXXX which just happened to be about 250 dollars above what he has already gotten down to.
 
He actually did not believe me that his special X plan was not a better deal or could not be put on top of what he already negotiated.
 
I guess he had just started working for the company and so had never used the X plan before.

#33 of 51 Re: Those programs are great for most folks [bretfraz] by graphicguy

May 17, 2006 (6:50 am)

Replying to: bretfraz (May 16, 2006 6:43 pm)
bret....every Ford and GM car I've bought, for myself and family members were either GMS/GMO (GM) or X plan (Ford).
 
About a year ago, when Mustang GTs were as hot as July 4th firecrackers, I bought one on X plan when every other dealer in the country was getting MSRP and above. That proved to be a great deal. Looked at pricing for a new Explorer for my sister. An all loaded up Eddie Bauer, which MSRPs for more than $40K, can be bought for around $32K with rebates on X plan. A GMS/GMO '07 Tahoe can be bought for low-mid $30s with rebate. So, they're great easy deals that don't take any effort to buy.

#34 of 51 the plan by billingsley

Jun 07, 2006 (10:21 am)

In reading your messages, I've come to the conclusion that using the "plans" is a good way to buy but also a lazy way. Someone could get a good deal by showing the dealership the invoice and asking how much above that he'd be willing to go. I expect the dealer to make a profit or he wouldn't be in business. I have bought 2 Chevy's in the last 5 years from a local dealer in So. Cal., and he sells it to me for $300 over invoice. Not bad when MSRP is quite a bit more. I'm pleased and I like the dealership. I have all the services done there.

#35 of 51 Re: the plan [billingsley] by bolivar

Jun 08, 2006 (1:23 am)

Replying to: billingsley (Jun 07, 2006 10:21 am)
In the last 5 years, most Chevys have had a rebate.
 
Did you get the rebate? Or did you give Invoice + $300 + let-the-dealer-retain-the-rebate?
 
If so, they made a ton of money, twice.

#36 of 51 Re: the plan [bolivar] by billingsley

Jun 10, 2006 (3:22 pm)

Replying to: bolivar (Jun 08, 2006 1:23 am)
I get whatever rebate is coming to me. I apply that rebate to the down payment, which is of course my choice. Of course, there may be manufacturer to dealer rebates which most of the public doesn't see. So, the dealer may be making money that way. But, that's not my business.
 
 

#37 of 51 Re: The whole point of the various discount programs is to get you a *good* by valley

Aug 29, 2006 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: tsgeisel (May 16, 2006 11:13 am)
Agreed. Also beware if your program is an employee program - even an affiliate employee program. Chances are that IRS is after you. One guy was very excited about a $6,000 off MSRP on a GMC truck he bought. But the program actually entitles IRS to add that full $6,000 to his regular income and tax at the marginal rate with elevated income. If he was in 30% bracket, the $6,000 is now worth less than $4,000. Could he have negotiated more than $4,000 below MSRP?
 
In fact, when GM did that "everybody gets employee price" campaign, his employer issued a blunt memo saying that employees would be better off going on the street and take the dealer offer That company takes the position that an affiliate program should not be treated the same as employee program and has contested (publicly but unsuccessfully) IRS rules.

#38 of 51 Ford X-plan vs Costco by peetert

Apr 09, 2007 (9:31 am)

We are just starting to investigate a replacement for the family minivan, the hope is as soon as my 2yo starts outgrowing our need to tote around the stroller all the time, we will have chosen a suitable replacement. One of the contenders is the Freestyle. Friends of ours have one and I was given a demo of it while visting them this past winter. It seems to have alot of what we are looking for, 3rd row seating (we have 3 kids), based off the Volvo (big pluses for the Mrs. there) and since its a Ford, it has the optional keypad entry. believe it or not, this little "feature" is a must of for my wife.
 
Enough of the background, now to the questions. I have Ford X-Plan pricing through work. I also am a member of Costco & BJ's. Assuming we are looking to purchase a Freestyle, which would give me the better price? I've looked at the Ford X-Plan prices and they seem to be just below invoice plus incentives. Haven't investigated the club benefits yet since we are not ready to buy yet.
 
Now, to add something else to the mix.
 
Over the weekend my wife got an offer from Ford to test drive the new Escape and get a $50 Target Card, as well as a coupon for $500 off the purchase. In lurking here for quite some time, and occasionally posting, I told her go down to the dealership midweek during the day and see if she can get someone to just sign the card as we are not really interested in the Escape anyway as it is too small for our needs. Also, while the other two will be in school, she'll have our little 2yo monster in tow so I don't want to wish him upon any salesman, just yet.
 
Since we are "interested" in the Freestyle, I told her to see if she can test drive that (assuming they won't just sign her card). Is that an option?
 
Thoughts/Suggestions?
 
Thanks,
Peeter

#39 of 51 Re: Ford X-plan vs Costco [peetert] by joel0622

Apr 09, 2007 (9:37 am)

Replying to: peetert (Apr 09, 2007 9:31 am)
Since we are "interested" in the Freestyle, I told her to see if she can test drive that (assuming they won't just sign her card). Is that an option?
  
Thoughts/Suggestions?
 
I don't see why it would be a problem. We do it all the time here. Have her test drive the van first then when she is done have her ask the Salesperson for a "favor" and ask him to get the other signed. Is the $500 just good on the Escape or any models? If you are not sure tell me the program # and your zip code and I will find out for you.
 
Also allot of times there are rebates for plan customers that regular retail don't get.

#40 of 51 Re: Ford X-plan vs Costco [joel0622] by peetert

Apr 10, 2007 (8:14 am)

Replying to: joel0622 (Apr 09, 2007 9:37 am)
thanks for the reply. I looked at the card, and it is actually the Edge, not the Escape (too many similar names). The Coupon says the $500 discount is for a 2007 Edge only.
 
Anyway, my Zip is 07869.
 
Peeter

#41 of 51 Re: Ford X-plan vs Costco [peetert] by joel0622

Apr 10, 2007 (8:28 am)

Replying to: peetert (Apr 10, 2007 8:14 am)
OK, for your Region there X-plan will probably work better because there is an additional $500 A/X/Z/D planners. Your incentive break down is as follows
 
$3000 Rebate
$500 Bonus cash
$500 X-plan Money
 
Or
$500 Bonus Cash
$500 X-plan
0.00%-5.9% rate on 60 months depending on your credit. With a little bit better then average credit you can usually qualify for 0%. If you hav had Credit problems then up to 5.9% is still a great rate

Messages Page 5 of 6

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